This drawing course is designed to help you build strong illustration skills while learning how to see the world through an illustrator's eye. Led by a professional illustrator with a background in fashion and beauty, this class blends foundational techniques with elegant, expressive subject matter - so you're not just learning how to draw, but how to draw beautifully. Over five sessions, we will work through the essentials of illustration using approachable subjects such as faces, perfume bottles, still life arrangements and everyday objects. You'll learn line work, shading and value, drawing reflective surfaces, and using color with restraint and intention. The focus is on clarity, mood and personal style - turning simple subjects into drawings that feel polished, expressive and timeless.
 
Location: Ocean City, Maryland
Instructor: Dallas Shaw
Cost: $300 ($250 for members)
Sponsor: Art League of Ocean City
Website, email, (410) 524-9433

Join Art League instructor Joyce Nagel for an immersive five-session course dedicated to the art of drawing. Each week combines dynamic demonstrations with individualized instruction designed to help every student grow in skill and confidence. Through focused practice, students will sharpen their observational abilities and learn to translate what they see onto paper with accuracy and expression. Whether you’re a beginner discovering the fundamentals or a returning student continuing your artistic journey, Joyce provides expert, personalized guidance to meet you at your level. In Week 4, the class expands to a special two-day session devoted to mastering perspective—an essential skill for bringing depth and realism to your drawings.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Joyce Nagel
Cost: $250
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

This class is for those who would like to work in art but do not know where to start and/or with what mediums! We will start with pencils, charcoal and work our way through watercolor, acrylic, pastels and oil and any other mediums that students may be interested in. Barb will explain the pros and cons of each of the mediums including prices points and other materials you'll need for that medium, including, brushes, surfaces and framing. At the end of the session, students will have time to try them all on a small scale. In addition to the registration fee, students should bring $20 cash to pay the instructor for materials, all of which she will provide to you.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Barb Snow
Cost: $50
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Using a live model throughout the workshop, participants will explore multiple facets of artistic anatomy. Starting with the major masses of the body and how they relate to essential figure drawing concepts such as opposition, tilt, balance, and proportion. Artists will then learn the key bony landmarks and muscle structures relavent to figure drawing and will be guided in rendering the visible reference points that inform structure and gesture. Artists will have the opportunity to apply their anatomical knowledge through gestural and long pose figure drawing, individualized feedback, and live demonstrations from Rachel. Ideal for artists of all levels looking to deepen their understanding of the human form and enhance their figure drawings through anatomical insight and hands-on application.
 
Location: Boulder, Colorado
Instructor: Rachel Suter
Cost: $178
Sponsor: Art of Modeling
Website, email, 831-421-2684

This 5-week course is for beginners who want to explore drawing, and for more experienced artists who want to improve their artistic skills. Using still-life compositions, students will learn about form, space, design, and value through working observationally. In addition, the instructor will introduce a variety of artists who are representative of the lessons provided and conduct in-process and final critiques for a helpful synopsis of the student’s progress and ideas.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Annie Gardner
Cost: $200
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Figure drawing can feel intimidating, even for experienced artists, but strong results come from solid foundations. This immersive two-day workshop introduces time-tested classical principles of figure drawing, focusing on Structure, Line, Form, and Gesture—fundamentals that support all styles, from expressive sketches to highly realistic work. Students will practice building the human figure with clear underlying structures, study examples from historical and contemporary masters, and explore working from photo reference, Zoom, and live models. The workshop concludes with a special guided Zoom drawing session with internationally known artist’s model Mariano DaMonte, offering a rare opportunity to study the male figure in a focused, instructional setting. Additional model fee applies, $55 per person payable by cash or check to the instructor.
 
Location: Jupiter, Florida
Instructor: Nettie Spiwack
Cost: $300
Sponsor: The New Studio for the Visual Arts
Website, email, 561-295-5712

Observe the elegant contours of winter in this graphite workshop, where the spotlight is on winter branches, sculptural seed pods, and the expressive forms of curling, dried leaves. Through direct observation and skilled guidance, participants will develop techniques for rendering intricate botanical details and textures, exploring value, line, and composition with graphite pencils. Demonstrations, individual feedback, and plenty of drawing time will help each artist capture the subtle character of these quintessential winter specimens. All skill levels are welcome; a supply list will be provided after registration. Be inspired by the quiet resilience found in nature’s winter palette and leave with studies or a finished graphite composition that highlights the beauty of seasonal stillness.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Margaret Saylor
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Unleash your creativity in a fun, relaxed studio setting where you can paint your way! Choose your favorite medium—oil, watercolor, acrylic, pastel, charcoal, or colored pencil—and dive into new projects or bring along unfinished pieces to refine. Enjoy as much one-on-one guidance from Dennis as you like, plus technique tips and helpful critiques to elevate your work. Whether your style leans toward realism, impressionism, or bold modern expression, this open painting session is your space to explore, create, and grow.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Dennis Lake
Cost: $250 or $50 per week
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

This class is for high school students looking to deepen their skills in 2D composition and life drawing. Working from various still life arrangements, students will create detailed realistic and expressive compositions from life using pencils and chalk pastels. Students will benefit from highly individualized instruction in a small class setting. As many college art programs and art schools require observational work in portfolio submissions, this class will also provide the opportunity to create a strong and essential portfolio piece. New students and repeat students welcome - each session explores different topics and still set-ups. This is a 5-week, 2.5-hour class.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Annie Gardner
Cost: $235
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Painting and Drawing are languages. Visual languages. And as with learning any language one must grasp the concepts and then dig into the vocabulary. This course is designed to expose the student to new ways of thinking about drawing and painting and how they speak to the viewer. We will explore the language and vocabulary of mark making as we strive to improve our visual skills. The student will be immersed in a series of exercises that with strengthen and reinforce very basic principles that are often overlooked. Lon will describe his approach thru demos each day followed up with one-on-one instruction as students give it a go. Students will be working with dry and wet media to find fresh avenues for art making.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Lon Brauer
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

For students seeking to expand their beginning drawing skills or those new to working from the figure, this class will focus on applying drawing’s basic elements to the human form. Starting from Antique and Classical sculpture from PAFA’s cast collection and progressing to work from the life model in short and long poses, work in charcoal and graphite to explore figure-based concepts of gesture, proportions, anatomy, and expression. Instruction will cover sight-drawing and measuring techniques, use of materials, gauging value, and ways of defining form and space. This course is excellent as a foundation for future study in any discipline or for more advanced figure-based work. Note: This course includes the use of nude models.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Phyllis Laver
Cost: $330
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Embrace the vibrant renewal of spring by creating a field sketchbook dedicated to the season’s first growth. This hands-on workshop invites participants to capture the earliest indicators of a new botanical cycle—delicate ferns, fleeting spring ephemerals, sprouting bulbs and flowers, and the swelling buds of trees—through lively exercises in pencil, ink, and watercolor. Learn to observe subtle changes in the landscape as expert instruction guides you through techniques for recording form, color, and texture in real time. Perfect for both budding and experienced artists, this class will nurture observational skills and creativity while deepening your connection to nature’s awakening. Leave with a good start to a beautifully illustrated sketchbook filled with your own studies of spring’s earliest wonders.
 
Location: Wayne, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Margaret Saylor
Sponsor: Wayne Art Center
Website, email, 610-688-3553

Embody the spirit of spring with fresh and immediate painting! Learn to capture the essence of a living, botanical subject quickly and spontaneously in pencil and watercolor. This alla prima method can be used for preparatory studies for sustained paintings, compiling a field sketchbook, or as an end in itself. All levels welcome. Tuition includes a $10 materials fee to cover floral subjects.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Linda Gist
Cost: $205
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

This class is for those who would like to work in art but do not know where to start and/or with what mediums! We will start with pencils, charcoal and work our way through watercolor, acrylic, pastels and oil and any other mediums that students may be interested in. Barb will explain the pros and cons of each of the mediums including prices points and other materials you'll need for that medium, including, brushes, surfaces and framing. At the end of the session, students will have time to try them all on a small scale. In addition to the registration fee, students should bring $20 cash to pay the instructor for materials, all of which she will provide to you.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Barb Snow
Cost: $50
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Capture the beauty of the shoreline in this inspiring outdoor painting experience! Open to all skill levels. The beach provides an ideal setting for a first-time plein air experience, offering open vistas, large shapes, and a rich variety of values and colors. The soft morning light and the simplicity of the land and seascape create the perfect environment to observe form, color, and atmosphere. Participants will explore how to use these natural elements as guides for mixing colors, creating the illusion of distance, and achieving unity within a painting. This workshop welcomes artists working in any medium. Instruction will focus on observing and interpreting the landscape, understanding atmospheric perspective, and developing cohesive compositions inspired by the coastal environment.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Alex Sharma
Cost: $130
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

This intensive workshop is designed for those looking to push their portrait drawing abilities toward the professional level. Demonstrations and in-class exercises will open up how you see, think, and approach the creation of a likeness, avoiding common pitfalls. Explore subtleties of form and the relationships of lines, planes and tones, capturing the character and energy of the subject. Additionally, instruction will cover facial expressions and deep anatomy of the face, neck, and upper body. Drawing will be primarily in graphite pencil and stick. Introductory portrait drawing or equivalent recommended. Note: Tuition includes a $10 models fee. For more introductory instruction, see the instructor's Portrait in Pencil Workshop (not required for enrollment in the Advanced workshop).
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: RA Friedman
Cost: $205
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

The specific technique you will learn is a layering of pencil applied with light pressure, creating color intensity and a means to add minute detail. With intense color on a dark background the image (of your choice) punches and acts as a magnet for a viewer. We’ll review contemporary pencil artists and what good composition is, you’ll do an exercise sheet with multiple stroke application techniques, and begin a customized artwork of your own subject in your own composition, and you’ll be able to work at your own pace in class, finishing the piece on your own beyond the class timeframe.
 
Location: Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin
Instructor: Rhonda Nass
Cost: $260
Sponsor: River Arts on Water Gallery
Website, email, 608-643-5215

Capture the small-town beauty Manayunk's hilly streets, rowhomes, and storefronts. Learn to create a convincing sense of space, light and time of day while depicting streetscapes, trees, water and sky. Color mixing and painting techniques for oils will be demonstrated, but all drawing/painting media are welcome. Located just 15 minutes outside of Philadelphia, Manayunk offers engaging urban and riverside neighborhood subjects with parking, shade, provisions and facilities available. Note: Students are responsible for their own transportation to painting locations.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Larry Francis
Cost: $295
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Unleash your creativity in a fun, relaxed studio setting where you can paint your way! Choose your favorite medium—oil, watercolor, acrylic, pastel, charcoal, or colored pencil—and dive into new projects or bring along unfinished pieces to refine. Enjoy as much one-on-one guidance from Dennis as you like, plus technique tips and helpful critiques to elevate your work. Whether your style leans toward realism, impressionism, or bold modern expression, this open painting session is your space to explore, create, and grow.
 
Location: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Instructor: Dennis Lake
Cost: $100 or $50 per week
Sponsor: Art League of Hilton Head
Website, email, (843) 842-5738

Discover the unique possibilities of drawing on Mylar in this immersive weekend workshop. Students will explore how the smooth, translucent surface of Mylar allows for even blending, soft moody values, and bold contrasts. Through guided demonstrations and hands-on exercises, participants will experiment with graphite, charcoal, and erasing techniques to create expressive drawings. Ideal for artists interested in expanding their drawing vocabulary, this workshop offers a focused introduction to using Mylar’s versatile and forgiving surface.
 
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Instructor: Shushana Rucker
Cost: $115
Sponsor: Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Website, email, 215-972-7632

Three Days of Coastal Light, Rhythm, and Atmosphere. This intimate plein air atelier in Santa Barbara is designed for a small group of painters seeking a refined, focused, and elevated experience. Set within one of California’s most luminous coastal environments, the workshop offers carefully selected painting locations that balance natural beauty with architectural elegance. Over three days, participants work in a sequence of visually rich environments—coastal, maritime, and town-inspired—each chosen for its compositional potential and atmospheric nuance. Rather than chasing landmarks, the emphasis is on seeing: light, structure, rhythm, and the quiet poetry of place. Instruction is personal, deliberate, and deeply engaged. Demonstrations and one-on-one guidance focus on the essentials that distinguish accomplished plein air work.
 
Location: Santa Barbara, California
Instructor: Vladislav Yeliseyev
Cost: $675
Sponsor: Renaissance School of Art
Website, email, 941-330-6865

Supply Fee: $10.00 paid directly to the instructor. Join the Art League and Barb to learn the art of Zentangle! Barb will walk you through the step-by-step process of creating beautiful designs of Zentangle. With paper and pens you will amaze yourself by the artwork you create! Let your inner self shine through with this unique calming art.
 
Location: Ocean City, Maryland
Instructor: Barb Mavraganis
Cost: $36 ($30 for members)
Sponsor: Art League of Ocean City
Website, email, (410) 524-9433